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Michael Jordan does not forget.
He turned hisenshrinement speechfor the Basketball Hall of Fame into a tirade against past foes.
Hehad a falling-outwith 20-year-pal Charles Barkley just because Barkley once criticized how Jordan ran the Charlotte Hornets.
(Charlotte has wonjust three playoff gamesin Jordans time as owner.)
He remembers slights real and imagined like a message-board poster or a journalist.
Jordan had editorial control over the documentary; his confidants and the leagueprovided notes to director Jason Hehir.
Jordan also hadfinal sayon episodes.
The documentary is his story.
Jordan brought his tone toThe Last Dance.
Jordans various grudges were key parts of several episodes.
Here, a timeline of all his grudges in the series, both real and imagined.
Jordan response:Depends on how fucking bad the headache is.
Result:The Bulls made the playoffs anyway.
The guy that walks on water?
Jordan response:Dont ever talk trash to Black Jesus.
Result:Miller says Jordan dominated the second half.
Miller had 20 off the bench to Jordans 37.
The Pacers, however,won the gameby a point.
Jordan response:I know its all bullshit.
Whatever he says now, you know it wasnt his true actions then.
Result:Thomas was not selected for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Dream Team (Episode V).
Would Isiah have made a different feeling on that team?
But it wasnt me.)
General manager Jerry Krause frequently praised him, though he had not yet joined the team.
Result:Jordan draped a flag over his shoulder, covering the Reebok logo, during the medal ceremony.
The teams played again the next night.
Jordan response:In the first half, Im gonna have what this kid had in the game.
Result:Jordan scored 36 in the first half of the next game against the Bullets.
Later, it turns out Smith never said Nice game, Mike.
Jordan made it all up.
Jordan response:I knew that Jerry Krause loved Dan Majerle.
And just because Krause liked him was enough for me.
You think hes a great defensive player?
Im gonna show you that hes not.
Jordan and the White Sox Are Embarrassing Baseball.
Jordan response:I wasnt interviewed for that.
They came out to critique me without understanding what my passion was at the time.
Result:Jordan never spoke to anyone fromSIagain.
Jordan says Russell approached him and said, Whyd you quit?
You know I could guard your ass.
You had to quit.
Result:Jordans Bulls beat Russells Jazz in back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.
Jordan hit his famous last shot against Russell to close out the 98 Finals.
After the game, Anderson said, 45 is not 23.
Jordan response:I just felt like 45 wasnt natural.
I wanted to go back to the feeling I had with 23.
Result:When we met them in the next game, Grant said, MJ just went off.
Jordan scored 38 points in a 104-94 Bulls win.
Jordan response:He walked right past me.
And I look at Ahmad [Rashad] and say, Really.
Oh, thats how youre going to play it.
I said, Its a crock of shit.
Result:The Bulls beat the Sonics in six games in the Finals.
Jordan response:I ate the pizza all by myself.
Nobody else eats the pizza.
I wake up at about 2:30, throwing up left and right.
The Bulls closed out the NBA title in Game 6.
The pizza was never heard from again.
1998: B.J.
He screamed at the Chicago bench after his jumper with 18 seconds left clinched the game for Charlotte.
Jordan response:I feel like B.J.
If youre going to high five and talk trash, now I have a bone to pick with you.
Im supposed to kill this guy.
Im supposed to dominate this guy.
And from that point, I did.
Result:The Bulls won the next three games to win the series.
